How To Pick The Banjo Without Missing - Banjo Pick Accuracy

Do you want to know how to pick the banjo without missing any strings? Well I've got a few tips for you (no pun intended). If you're new or old to the banjo, finger picking accuracy is so important. I hope you enjoy the video!

Time Stamps:
0:00 Opening
0:36 Check your finger picks
1:10 Thumb out in front
2:14 Secure your thumbpick
2:45 Play without finger picks

[hlinkjr]

I have been playing banjo for over 30 years, and this video about hand position and thumb “out front” has made a world of difference in my speed. Thank you!😊

[williamwilkins]

The thumb out farther is the bigest help ive had yet on any video. Thank you

[markbird]

I have same issues. I played guitar and much less a five string. Three years ago, I had brain surgery, which has changed things greatly . I struggle now with dexterity on the guitar, but I am hoping to re learn the 5 string. Wish me luck, guys n girls

[DanDDirges]

Some great tips here. I have to say I like the old timey sound of playing the banjo without picks like you showed in this video. Even though it`s the same technique it just sounds more mellow and natural... and well old timey if you know what I mean.

[ChattanoogaDave]

Go Dawgs! My son plays and yes he misses strings. I hear it when I record him. He noticed your pick in the first 45 seconds! $45 picks are worth it. Great advice.

[josephcaloger]

I have a $35 thumbpick sitting in a drawer while I'm using a $1 Fred Kelly thumbpick. The rest of your advise was spot on.

[BenTheCRUSHER]

Dude, thank you so much for this video! I was about to throw these finger picks in a drawer and never see them again, you've helped me a lot, good sir!

[USRA]

Thumb pick snagging on the 5th string. Depending on the type of pick you use, curl in the edge of the park, that part that wraps around top of the thumb where the gag is.

[josephbrosk]

All excellent tips! I also use a Blue Chip thumb pick. It's everything wonderful except inexpensive. Current price is $40. It's worth it, but it's hard to accept it. The ProPik thumb pick is pretty good too, and significantly more affordable.

[fongbrothers]

I appreciate the tip about ditching the picks. I NEVER use them and feel like I am wrong for doing so. As soon as I try to put them on, I regress and have no idea where my fingers are in relation to the strings because I can't feel them (the strings).

[mikefinley]

Yo Idaho, don't neglect the outdoors, get up north and get in some fishing & hunting but always be alert for what can sneak up on you. Cats & bears are faster than you think if not familiar with that fact so take a buddy along and have each other's back.
Great vid on picking advise. I recommend all beginners learn to play slow at first NOT looking at the strings but ingraining the feel of where your fingers are and picking. Finding a anchor point and sticking with it and correct hand position is frustrating as a beginner but work through the and yes, get the thumbbput front but don't stare at the picking or fingering hand or you never learn to instinctively play . It's the difference in a performer who looks at the audience and can smile projecting the joy of playing and personable character instead of a mechanical stressed out preformer . Ben Pera, on YouTube has one of those smiles and a very diverse musician with a sense of humor.

[MrEpmonroe]

The Blue Chip thumbpick is the best pick I’ve ever used, and I’ve played for years. I will use nothing else.

[evan]

I find it a lot easier to hit the strings accurately without the picks but I find that if I do that a little too often it throws off where I think my point of contact is and it takes me a while to return to using picks accurately.

[meerkkat]

A couple issues I'm having, though I suspect one is more is what I find more comfortable. 1. I don't rest my little anf ring finger on the head at all. I find when I do my middle and index fingers don't feel like I have enough room to play(if that makes sense). The other is instead of missing a string when I pick I occasionally end up skipping across 2 of them(for example when I pick the 1st string ocasionally I'll pick that plus skip across the 2nd and sometimes the 3rd string as well). In my defense though I have only been played since Christmas 2022, so i'm sure it's a common mistake\issue.

[josephboyle]

Im not sure what happened to me - relatively new to the instrument but I’ve developed this new nasty habit of MISSING completely my index finger on the third string. Been compensating by extending the index finger pick but I know thats a half assed solution. Use picky picks… have for awhile now. Not sure whats been happening…lazy hand position?

[Hughleik]

Basic question from a noobie.
What is the point of the picks?
Sound or preventing damage to the fingers or something?

[bigal]

I used to not have a problem with accuracy until I got arthritis in my index finger. Makes my finger want to draw up and miss strings.

[karenflynn]

I have tiny hands and tiny fingers. I can't find a thumb pick that won't spin around out of position. Can you recommend a source for child size picks?

[shadowshadow]

Thanks, i notice your finger picks are bent to the contour of your index & middle finger, maybe that's my problem, so you don't want them straight ? Thanks moe

[kooralive]

Hello, can you help me? I want to learn the banjo. Can you send it to me? I am in Morocco?